School Psychologist - Cumberland County School District

Qualifications:           1.  Valid certificate to meet state requirements with specific endorsement as a School Psychologist.

                              2.  Professional qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with        

                                    students, teachers, principals, and other adults.

Primary Function:       To complete psychological assessments for those students referred for testing and to hold conferences

                              with parents of the students that have been tested.

Reports to:               The Supervisor of Special Education

Salary:                     Compensation according to school psychologist pay scale based on experience

Contract Status:        10-month contract

Performance Responsibilities:

 A.  Assessment

1. Administers, scores and interprets diagnostic instruments including intelligence, achievement, adaptive behavior, personality, perceptual motor, developmental and other instruments used to assess the learning and behavioral needs of students.
2. Provides an integrated written report of findings and recommendations following assessment.
3. Selects appropriate methods/tests to insure an unbiased non-discriminatory evaluation of an individual student. The School Psychologist is familiar with, and reviews research on old and new tests and disseminates such information as necessary.
4. Discusses psychological implications of students’ behavior and test results with school personnel as needed.
5. Meets with the parents of children who have been evaluated to assist them in understanding the learning and adjustment process of the child and the specific recommendations.
6. Maintains separate records of all referrals and their disposition.
7. Arranges and coordinates contractual psychological services. The School Psychologist co-signs contracted psychological when needed and reviews and records contract psychological.
8. Meets with the Administrative Coordinator regarding three-year re-evaluations. The School Psychologist, in cooperation with the Administrative Coordinator, ascertains which three-year re-evaluations need to be completed by the school psychologist and which may be contracted out.

1. B.  Consultation

1. Serves as a liaison and consultant for the Child Study Committee.  Spectific duties include:  attending child study committee meetings in a consultant capacity; providing instructional recommendations to implement in the school classroom; providing recommendations and consultant services as to the use, administrational interpretation of screening tests; consulting with classroom teachers regarding the child and techniques to implement; and, suggesting specific resources and support services to help meet the child’s needs.
2. Makes classroom observations and conducts student interviews per child study committee recommendations.
3. Conducts, when necessary, follow-up conferences with parents whose children have been through child study committee, especially when therapy has been recommended.
4. Provides information to the Supervisor of Special Education and the Administrative Coordinator regarding current (unusual or difficult) child study committee cases.
5. Consults with principals, elementary supervisors, and other school personnel regarding child study committee cases when necessary.
6. Provides information to child study committee chairpersons regarding special education regulations/requirements.
7. Meets with parents of those students who have been through the eligibility process to review and interpret the results of the evaluation and the recommendations of the Eligibility Committee.
8. Meets with school personnel (Principals, teachers, administrative staff) when requested in a consultative capacity.
9. Attends/participates in other parent conferences when requested.
10. Maintains contact and cooperates with other agencies providing services to Cumberland County Public School students, e.g. Mental Health Clinic, Child Development Clinic, private psychologists, etc.
11. Serves as a consultant to other professionals/organizations and community agencies regarding Cumberland County Public School students.
12. Consults with staff members in planning school programs to meet the school needs of children as indicated by psychological testing, interviews and behavioral evaluations.

 C.  Intervention

1. Provides emergency intervention counseling when needed.
2. Attempts to provide intervention through child study committee work, consultation, and conferences with parents, teachers, and school personnel.
3. Serves as a child advocate. The child’s learning and adjustment needs are the primary focus in intervention strategies.  The School Psychologist serves to broaden the professional’s understanding of the psychological forces which influence a given referral situation.
4. Serves as a case manager for certain children.
5. Conducts follow-up contacts with the pupil and those working with him/her following a diagnostic work-up as necessary.
6. Conducts student interviews and makes classroom observations when requested.

D.  Meetings/Committees

1. Attends administrative and principals meetings.
2. Serves as an Eligibility Committee member. The School Psychologist provides the Eligibility Committee psychological data and information as a member of the committee.  The School Psychologist and Supervisor of Special Education record eligibility minutes.  The School Psychologist conducts eligibility parent follow-up conferences.  These follow-up conferences are arranged with the principal of the school the child attends.
3. Serves as a member on the Annual Review Committee.
4. Maintains membership in state, local and national school psychology associations and attends association meetings for professional growth.
5. Attends department meetings with the Supervisor of Special Education to increase departmental communication and to discuss current cases and issues. The School Psychologist discusses and reviews test results with the Supervisor prior to eligibility and individual cases are discussed.
6. Works with the Supervisor of Special Education cooperatively on cases and consult with each other regarding special education procedures and services.
7. Participates in Individualized Education Program conferences and assists in developing IEP’s when necessary.

 E.  Other Duties

1. Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent
2. Discusses with the Supervisor of Special Education cases and issues regarding special education programs and procedures.
3. Completes necessary record keeping, correspondence, and reports.
4. Develops annual objectives, strategies and evaluation for the position.
5. Works with the Supervisor of Special Education to review and revise/update special education forms and procedures as needed.
6. Maintains test materials, orders materials when necessary and checks out test materials to teachers when requested. Materials are also ordered for the Media Center for use by teachers.
7. Provides in services when requested, for example on the Child Study Committee or screening instruments and interpretation. The School Psychologist works with the Supervisor and Coordinator on developing in-services as needed.
8. Develops and distributes, in cooperation with Supervisor of Special Education kindergarten screening materials each year. The School Psychologist prepares memos, letters and materials for the kindergarten screening.  The School Psychologist provides in-service, if needed, or is available to consult with teachers and principals regarding the kindergarten screening.
9. Releases Category II information according to State Department requirements, upon receipt of a release form. This involves checking the release form, pulling out and reviewing the requested material, having it copied and sent to the requesting party.
10. Reviews journals and research articles and attends conferences to keep abreast of new research in the field.
11. Completes the annual School Psychologist Report for the State Department.

Evaluation:      Performance of this job will be evaluated according to division guidelines.